Rod Fergusson on Diablo 5: 'Diablo 4 to Last Years, Not Eternal'

At the DICE Summit 2025, Rod Fergusson, the general manager of the Diablo series, kicked off his talk by addressing one of the franchise's most infamous setbacks: Error 37. This error, which plagued the launch of Diablo 3, prevented countless players from enjoying the game due to overwhelming server demand, sparking significant criticism and even becoming a meme. Blizzard managed to resolve the issue, and Diablo 3 eventually became a success story, but the experience left a lasting impression on Fergusson and the team, driving them to ensure such failures are not repeated, especially as Diablo evolves into a more complex live service model with Diablo 4.

Diablo 4 marks a significant shift towards a live service model, featuring frequent updates, ongoing seasons, and regular expansions. Fergusson emphasized the importance of avoiding another Error 37-like incident, as it could be disastrous for the long-term sustainability of Diablo 4. During his talk titled “Evolving Sanctuary: Building a Resilient Live-Service Game in Diablo IV,” Fergusson outlined four key strategies for maintaining the game's resilience: scaling effectively, maintaining a steady flow of content, being flexible with design purity, and keeping players informed about future updates.

Fergusson's vision for Diablo 4 is to keep players engaged over the long term, a stark departure from the traditional model of numbered releases every few years. When asked about the future of Diablo 4 and whether it could be considered "immortal" like World of Warcraft, Fergusson expressed a desire for the game to last for many years, though he hesitated to label it as eternal. He referenced Destiny's initial ten-year plan and noted the importance of respecting players' time and commitment to the game.

The development of Diablo 4's second expansion, Vessel of Hatred, faced delays, pushing its release from 2025 to 2026. Fergusson acknowledged the challenges of managing timelines while maintaining the live game, learning from past experiences to avoid overcommitting to specific release dates. He emphasized the importance of internal certainty before making public announcements, reflecting a cautious approach to planning and communication.

Transparency is another cornerstone of Fergusson's strategy. The introduction of a content roadmap and a Public Test Realm (PTR) for players to test upcoming patches demonstrates a commitment to involving the community in the development process. Initially hesitant about spoiling surprises, Fergusson now believes that sharing information with a smaller group to ensure a smoother experience for the broader player base is a worthwhile trade-off.

Expanding the PTR to consoles is a current challenge, hindered by certification issues and the complexities of releasing new builds. However, with the support of parent company Xbox, Blizzard is working to overcome these obstacles. Fergusson also highlighted the benefits of Diablo 4's inclusion on Game Pass, which helps attract new players by removing entry barriers, unlike the free-to-play model of Diablo Immortal.

In discussing his gaming habits, Fergusson revealed his top three games of 2024 by playtime: NHL 24, Destiny 2, and Diablo 4, with the latter being his most played game. He shared his passion for Diablo, mentioning his enjoyment of playing as a Companion Druid and a Dance of Knives Rogue, underscoring his deep connection to the game that brought him to Blizzard five years ago.

Fergusson's approach to Diablo 4's development reflects a commitment to learning from past mistakes, embracing transparency, and fostering a sustainable live service model that respects and engages players for years to come.